A Foreign Ministry spokesperson said at a regular press conference Tuesday that the EU's plan to lift its arms embargo on China will not infringe upon the interests of third parties, and that it would be "irrelevant" to "the present situation of the Asia Pacific region."

Kong Quan said the embargo, put in place in 1989, was a "sequel of the cold war" and the lifting of it would be "conducive to a sound and smooth development of China-EU relations based on equality and reciprocity."

"Relations enjoy smooth development at present, while the two sides gradually solve historical problems between them," Kong said. He said he hoped the US will promote this trend instead of setting obstacles.

Kong said the lifting of the embargo would actually be "the lifting of political discrimination against China, which won't lead to China buying a large amount of weapons." China, he said, will "pursue peaceful development and a defense policy that is defensive in nature," and will be "no menace to any other country."

He said, "China is not an obstacle to world peace and stability but an active strength in maintaining it."

Turning to the Korean Peninsula nuclear standoff, Kong called on the US and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to show more sincerity and flexibility in efforts to resume six-party talks at an early date.

He said all parties should make efforts in pushing for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and seeking a peaceful solution through dialogue.

"The US and DPRK should make additional efforts in this regard because they are the main parties concerned," Kong said.

He asked all sides to show "patience" to actively solve the problems.

He said resumption of negotiations conforms to the interests of concerned parties, including the DPRK, and that the talks are now at a crucial juncture.

He said China has kept in close communication and contact with all parties and is making efforts to push forward the early reopening of negotiations.

The top DPRK leader Kim Jong-il told a Chinese envoy on Monday that his country would stand for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and will return to six-party talks when conditions are right.

Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China, finished his four-day visit in Pyongyang yesterday.

When asked whether the US-Japan joint statement would affect the process of the talks, Kong said China is firmly against the statement that listed the Taiwan question as one of their common strategic objectives.

"We hope that all the parties to the talks as well as other countries in the region will do more to enhance mutual understanding and trust," he said.

Kong said China wants to solve the East China Sea gas fields dispute with Japan through negotiations, adding that China has never acknowledged the so-called middle line in the East China Sea, as unilaterally stated by the Japanese side.

He also stressed that it is unacceptable for Japan to make demands over the issue, which is within China's legal rights.

Beijing and Tokyo signed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1996, but cannot agree on where to draw their sea border.

Japan has previously said that the East China Sea gas fields Beijing is exploring may extend into Tokyo's exclusive economic zone. 

Kong said China is considering an invitation to attend this year's summit of the Group of Eight (G8).

He said the G8 plays an important part in world affairs, noting that China hopes to continue expanding dialogues and consultations with it.

Kong announced that, at the invitation of President Hu Jintao, Malaysian Supreme Head of State Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin will visit from February 28 to March 6; and at the invitation of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Phil Goff will visit from February 27 to 28.

(Xinhua News Agency, China Daily and CRI.com, February 23, 2005)